§ 34. Brigadier-General CLIFTON BROWNasked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury what was the amount of Land Tax collected for the last financial year, and what was the amount in arrears for the same period and at the present time?
§ Mr. HORE-BELISHAThe net receipt of Land Tax in the year to 31st March last was £588,000. I regret I am unable to divide that receipt into tax charged for that year and tax charged for previous years, or to state how much is outstanding in respect of arrears.
§ Mr. C. WILLIAMSCan the hon. Gentleman tell the House what it costs to collect this very small sum—what it costs in the expenses of officials?
§ Mr. HORE-BELISHAIt is very difficult to apportion the charges of collecting any particular tax among the costs of collecting all taxes.
§ Mr. WILLIAMSBut surely, with all their Gladstonian traditions of finance, the Treasury should know precisely what it costs to collect any tax?